Effect of Panel Joints on the Performance of Cold-Formed-Steel Light-Frame Shear Walls

Some existing qualification/validation data for alternatives to code-compliant light-frame cold-formed steel (CFS) shear wall construction were developed before requirements for test specimens with 1:1 aspect ratios and the inclusion of a vertical panel joint. These requirements were introduced on the notion/assumption that walls with an included panel joint and 1:1 aspect ratio provide a lower bound estimate of wall performance (strength, displacement, and toughness). In this technical note, data from three independent experimental test programs were analyzed to shed light on panel joint and aspect ratio effects on cold-formed steel frame shear wall performance. The analysis showed that the performance of walls without a panel joint and with aspect ratios as high as 21/4:1 provide reasonable lower bound measures of performance. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.